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49 Days
Day 1
Gotta get up. Gotta keep moving. This map – it says I have to cross over here. Wait, what’s that…?
And so begins a graphic novel story unlike any 49 Days. In Buddhist tradition, a person must travel for forty-nine days after they die, before they can fully cross over. Here in this book, readers travel with one Korean American girl, Kit, on her journey, while also spending time with her family and friends left behind.
Agnes Lee has captivated readers across the world for years with her illustrations for the New York Times Metropolitan Diary. Her debut graphic novel is an unforgettable story of death, grief, love, and how we keep moving forward.
Gotta get up. Gotta keep moving. This map – it says I have to cross over here. Wait, what’s that…?
And so begins a graphic novel story unlike any 49 Days. In Buddhist tradition, a person must travel for forty-nine days after they die, before they can fully cross over. Here in this book, readers travel with one Korean American girl, Kit, on her journey, while also spending time with her family and friends left behind.
Agnes Lee has captivated readers across the world for years with her illustrations for the New York Times Metropolitan Diary. Her debut graphic novel is an unforgettable story of death, grief, love, and how we keep moving forward.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
February 25, 2024
Kit is on a journey she didn't ask for: in Buddhist tradition, it takes 49 days for the spirit of a recently deceased person to pass over to the next life, but Kit hadn't expected to be on this path anytime soon.
Drawn in spare, black-and-white illustrations, 49 Days proves to be quietly devastating. Alongside Kit's journey, we see the parallel journeys of the people she's left behind—family, mostly, but also some friends—and memories of the time before. What's particularly resonant, I think, is Kit's own grief; just as her family is not ready for her to be gone, she is not ready to leave them behind. I'm not a crier, but I suspect that this will be a tear-jerker for many.
This feels like something new in both graphic novels and books about grief. I'd also recommend Marie Mutsuki Mockett's Where the Dead Pause, and the Japanese Say Goodbye to readers who want a further look at grief in non-Western cultures.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Drawn in spare, black-and-white illustrations, 49 Days proves to be quietly devastating. Alongside Kit's journey, we see the parallel journeys of the people she's left behind—family, mostly, but also some friends—and memories of the time before. What's particularly resonant, I think, is Kit's own grief; just as her family is not ready for her to be gone, she is not ready to leave them behind. I'm not a crier, but I suspect that this will be a tear-jerker for many.
This feels like something new in both graphic novels and books about grief. I'd also recommend Marie Mutsuki Mockett's Where the Dead Pause, and the Japanese Say Goodbye to readers who want a further look at grief in non-Western cultures.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
May 18, 2024
Kit, a young Korean American woman, wakes up on a beach with a map and a watch telling her she's already late. For days, she clambers over rocks and up trails, reaching for an undefined goal. Slowly, the book begins to flash back to Kit's childhood and family, the people she loved and left behind after her accidental death. In Buddhist tradition a soul travels for 49 days before rebirth, and this book follows one version of that path, the grief and slow healing that follow a loss. Drawn in a very simple yet evocative style, the spare ink lines and limited color fill this journey with meaning.
February 14, 2024
Beautiful and profound. I laughed and sobbed like a baby. This is one of those stories that sticks to your bones.
April 13, 2024
It gives you a look into the journey of a girl who is in her 49-day transitional period (the amount of time Buddhists believe a soul must travel before being reborn). At first, you watch Kit travel and wonder if it's cruel for her to have to go this long, knowing she's died and reminiscing over all of the things she'll never get to do. But by the end, she's had just enough time to reflect and come to a place of acceptance, with the prayers and love sent from her still living family and friends. Simultaneously watching her loved ones experience grief is where you'll shed some tears.
November 28, 2023
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an e-arc of this book. all thoughts are my own and not influenced in any way.
this was beautiful. the story is sometimes extremely vague. but that is beautiful in itself because it leaves a lot of doors open for the reader to enter and interpret. the art was very soothing. this was a quick, short, easy and will absolutely pull on your heartstrings. in Buddhist tradition, there are 49 days between death and re-birth. this book follows kit's journey in those 49 days while also giving glimpses of how her family and her friends are coping with the grief. this really hit me in the feels since i am freshly grieving over the loss of my grandad recently. i think this will speak to a lot of people who are struggling with some kind of loss rn as well. is a very subtle, warm story that just flowed and leaves you with some warm feelings at the end.
this was beautiful. the story is sometimes extremely vague. but that is beautiful in itself because it leaves a lot of doors open for the reader to enter and interpret. the art was very soothing. this was a quick, short, easy and will absolutely pull on your heartstrings. in Buddhist tradition, there are 49 days between death and re-birth. this book follows kit's journey in those 49 days while also giving glimpses of how her family and her friends are coping with the grief. this really hit me in the feels since i am freshly grieving over the loss of my grandad recently. i think this will speak to a lot of people who are struggling with some kind of loss rn as well. is a very subtle, warm story that just flowed and leaves you with some warm feelings at the end.
April 12, 2024
Kit, our young protagonist, is on a journey in the hinterland of a sort, utterly alone. The destination is vague, and so is the map in her possession, which seems to magically change depending her whereabouts. The landscape and everything in it shift around, like in a dream. Crossing a sultry desert, she spots a gigantic tree whose shade is beckoning her, only to realize upon nearing it that the tree barely reaches up to her knee. Feeling defeated, she jumps off the sheer cliff, only to open her eyes and find herself on the top of the cliff again. This world she traverses in runs by different rules of physics.
Soon, we learn that Kit is inside what is known as Bardo, a 49-day transitional period between death and rebirth according to a Buddhist tradition. She had been killed in a bus accident. In "49 Days," Agnes Lee's debut graphic novel, the author's challenge is to convincingly portray the afterlife of a young woman as well as the ineffable grief that assails the rest of the family member after Kit's death. Through the inventive use of panel arrangement, color, and strokes, Lee created a graphic novel that is highly original and deeply affecting.
The narrative has three strands. While the Bardo scenes are drawn with thick strokes, minimal dialogue, intentionally vague and colored in gloomy blue, Kit's recollections of their family time and their life after death are more intricate, detailed, with each panel filled up with busy figures and many dialogue bubbles, colored in orange and pink. Lee mentions that she used brush, pen, ink, and photoshop for the drawing, with all the dialogue texts hand-written by her. Everything feels very intimate due to these personal touches.
Kit's is a Korean American family, living in California, yet they have kept to a number of traditional activities that may have defined the previous generation's lives, such as making kimchi with cabbages and pepper paste and praying to a burning incense. One endearing scene portrays the silly competition where Kit and her two siblings try to make a biggest pork bossam that can still fit in their mouths.
It is ultimately a family story, how each member, even the dead one, forge ahead amidst profound grift in the wake of () tragedy. The novel conveys the theme that, yes, family love is everything, and also that, family love is... enough. One life is not really a single unit of a life. One life is actually many lives. We do not own our life entirely just to ourselves.
The narrative of an afterlife, at least in the Western societies, is heavily influenced by the Judeo-Christian myth and images, from Bible to Dante's Divine Comedy to Milton's Paradise Lost, we tend to think of afterlife in a binary term, heaven and hell. Buddhist tradition is more forgiving; their binary term would be rebirth and Nirvana. In Agnes Lee's novel, we get to glimpse the afterlife as told by another culture, another non-dominant religion, another myth not tainted by whites privileged discourse.
Soon, we learn that Kit is inside what is known as Bardo, a 49-day transitional period between death and rebirth according to a Buddhist tradition. She had been killed in a bus accident. In "49 Days," Agnes Lee's debut graphic novel, the author's challenge is to convincingly portray the afterlife of a young woman as well as the ineffable grief that assails the rest of the family member after Kit's death. Through the inventive use of panel arrangement, color, and strokes, Lee created a graphic novel that is highly original and deeply affecting.
The narrative has three strands. While the Bardo scenes are drawn with thick strokes, minimal dialogue, intentionally vague and colored in gloomy blue, Kit's recollections of their family time and their life after death are more intricate, detailed, with each panel filled up with busy figures and many dialogue bubbles, colored in orange and pink. Lee mentions that she used brush, pen, ink, and photoshop for the drawing, with all the dialogue texts hand-written by her. Everything feels very intimate due to these personal touches.
Kit's is a Korean American family, living in California, yet they have kept to a number of traditional activities that may have defined the previous generation's lives, such as making kimchi with cabbages and pepper paste and praying to a burning incense. One endearing scene portrays the silly competition where Kit and her two siblings try to make a biggest pork bossam that can still fit in their mouths.
It is ultimately a family story, how each member, even the dead one, forge ahead amidst profound grift in the wake of () tragedy. The novel conveys the theme that, yes, family love is everything, and also that, family love is... enough. One life is not really a single unit of a life. One life is actually many lives. We do not own our life entirely just to ourselves.
The narrative of an afterlife, at least in the Western societies, is heavily influenced by the Judeo-Christian myth and images, from Bible to Dante's Divine Comedy to Milton's Paradise Lost, we tend to think of afterlife in a binary term, heaven and hell. Buddhist tradition is more forgiving; their binary term would be rebirth and Nirvana. In Agnes Lee's novel, we get to glimpse the afterlife as told by another culture, another non-dominant religion, another myth not tainted by whites privileged discourse.
March 28, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and LQ for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
It's 1.32 am here and I planned to just read a page or two of this book coz I started it at 12.30ish. I'm night reader but I was tired today and planned to sleep early and here it went down the drain. Here I'm writing the review with blood shot eyes and sniffing nose.
This story was so sad but enlightening too. It's story of loss and grief and it is about moving on too. In Buddhist
tradition, a person must travel for forty-nine days after they die, before they can
fully cross over.
It's story of Kit and her family and friends and how her loss has affected them and left a void but life has to move on. And kit too when she is between life and death. It's not easy for living to move on but same might be for dead as well.
For a debut, it's amazing. The illustrations are simple and bold. It made me cry rivers.
It's 1.32 am here and I planned to just read a page or two of this book coz I started it at 12.30ish. I'm night reader but I was tired today and planned to sleep early and here it went down the drain. Here I'm writing the review with blood shot eyes and sniffing nose.
This story was so sad but enlightening too. It's story of loss and grief and it is about moving on too. In Buddhist
tradition, a person must travel for forty-nine days after they die, before they can
fully cross over.
It's story of Kit and her family and friends and how her loss has affected them and left a void but life has to move on. And kit too when she is between life and death. It's not easy for living to move on but same might be for dead as well.
For a debut, it's amazing. The illustrations are simple and bold. It made me cry rivers.
December 13, 2023
This compelling little book explores grief and loss through Kit, a young Korean American woman, and the loved ones she left behind. I appreciated the way their Korean culture played a role in Kit’s family’s lives as well as their grief, especially the kimchi.
The art in this book is simple but powerful and reflects its subject matter very well.
The art in this book is simple but powerful and reflects its subject matter very well.
February 16, 2024
*Thank you netgalley and publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this story*
What an emotional little graphic novel. In Buddhist traditions your soul must travel for 49 days before it fully moves on. I loved reading Kit's adventures for her 49 days of travel and how her friends and family's story is intertwined through each adventure. We get to feel the grief and emotions they're going through from the loss of a friend/daughter/sister. The story is deliberately left vague so the reader can interpret it in many different ways. Grief over a lost one isn't linear and you see that in this story. I loved the artwork and all the feelings that came from the illustrations.
What an emotional little graphic novel. In Buddhist traditions your soul must travel for 49 days before it fully moves on. I loved reading Kit's adventures for her 49 days of travel and how her friends and family's story is intertwined through each adventure. We get to feel the grief and emotions they're going through from the loss of a friend/daughter/sister. The story is deliberately left vague so the reader can interpret it in many different ways. Grief over a lost one isn't linear and you see that in this story. I loved the artwork and all the feelings that came from the illustrations.
March 27, 2024
This was so beautifully heartbreaking, I sobbed like a baby reading this.
The beauty of an incredibly limited color palette and use of progression through simple panels. The perfect execution of how we follow Kit's journey and those she left behind at the same time. In my top for 2024 for sure.
The beauty of an incredibly limited color palette and use of progression through simple panels. The perfect execution of how we follow Kit's journey and those she left behind at the same time. In my top for 2024 for sure.
April 7, 2024
if you asked me to define the term “bittersweet”, i would give you the title of this book. it was such a heartbreaking read disguised as a simple little graphic novel. i loved it. i have so many thoughts that are all jumbled together, but my main takeaway is that reading about these 49 days made me want to live my life a little more. <3
March 29, 2024
A beautiful look at the afterlife and aftermath of a loss of a loved one.
February 14, 2024
3.5 stars
This graphic novel is inspired by Buddhist tradition and follows someone during the 49 days of travel after death. Kit, a Korean-American teenager, finds herself on this path sooner than expected and this story was heartbreaking. At first glance, the story may feel simplistic but the themes of death, grief, love, and loss are powerful. The story is told in two perspectives: Kit and her 49 days of travel, and the loved ones she left behind grieving the loss of a loved one. As Kit travels through these 49 days, we find her navigating difficult emotions and obstacles, paired with different flashbacks of her life. One thing to note is that this story didn't have a clear climax or resolution and in that regard, it fell a bit flat for me. However, I also found that to be beautiful as it opened up the story for your own reflections and interpretation. I don't think this story needed overt details to convey its powerful message.
Thank you NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This graphic novel is inspired by Buddhist tradition and follows someone during the 49 days of travel after death. Kit, a Korean-American teenager, finds herself on this path sooner than expected and this story was heartbreaking. At first glance, the story may feel simplistic but the themes of death, grief, love, and loss are powerful. The story is told in two perspectives: Kit and her 49 days of travel, and the loved ones she left behind grieving the loss of a loved one. As Kit travels through these 49 days, we find her navigating difficult emotions and obstacles, paired with different flashbacks of her life. One thing to note is that this story didn't have a clear climax or resolution and in that regard, it fell a bit flat for me. However, I also found that to be beautiful as it opened up the story for your own reflections and interpretation. I don't think this story needed overt details to convey its powerful message.
Thank you NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 10, 2024
In a narrative unlike any other,49 Days embarks on a graphic novel journey inspired by Buddhist tradition, highlighting the forty-nine days of travel after death before complete transcendence.
Through Agnes Lee's evative storytelling and captivating illustrations, the graphic novel intertwines themes of death, grief, and love, inviting readers to reevaluate their own perspectives on loss and resilience. By following Kit's emotional evolution and her encounters with spirits from both past and present, readers embark on a parallel journey of growth and understanding. The narrative not only serves as a testament to human vulnerability but also celebrates the strength found in community and enduring relationships. As Kit grapples with the intricacies of her own emotions and memories, readers are encouraged to confront their fears and uncertainties surrounding mortality. In this way,49 Days transcend cultural and spiritual boundaries, offering a universal message about the shared human experience of navigating life and death. Through the lens of Kit's poignant odyssey, Agnes Lee reminds us of the intrinsic value of connections forged in life and the profound impact of love that extends beyond the boundaries of time and space.
Through Agnes Lee's evative storytelling and captivating illustrations, the graphic novel intertwines themes of death, grief, and love, inviting readers to reevaluate their own perspectives on loss and resilience. By following Kit's emotional evolution and her encounters with spirits from both past and present, readers embark on a parallel journey of growth and understanding. The narrative not only serves as a testament to human vulnerability but also celebrates the strength found in community and enduring relationships. As Kit grapples with the intricacies of her own emotions and memories, readers are encouraged to confront their fears and uncertainties surrounding mortality. In this way,49 Days transcend cultural and spiritual boundaries, offering a universal message about the shared human experience of navigating life and death. Through the lens of Kit's poignant odyssey, Agnes Lee reminds us of the intrinsic value of connections forged in life and the profound impact of love that extends beyond the boundaries of time and space.
January 14, 2024
3.5 stars
🌕🌕🌕🌗
Thanks NetGalley, Levine Querido publisher and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
I was very excited to read this comic when I saw the summary. I have always been curious about this topic. The story was beautiful, relaxing, tender, but at the same time, heart-breaking. I liked how the story was executed in parallel between the living world and the underworld (I thought so).
On the other hand, there were some drawbacks that I have noticed. The artwork was very confusing for me. It was nice, but maybe it needs improvements. I hope the story could be elaborated more because I was left hanging at the end of the comic. I felt like I didn't get much out of the story. There was no climax as well as resolution. From my point of view, the story fell flat.
🌕🌕🌕🌗
Thanks NetGalley, Levine Querido publisher and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
I was very excited to read this comic when I saw the summary. I have always been curious about this topic. The story was beautiful, relaxing, tender, but at the same time, heart-breaking. I liked how the story was executed in parallel between the living world and the underworld (I thought so).
On the other hand, there were some drawbacks that I have noticed. The artwork was very confusing for me. It was nice, but maybe it needs improvements. I hope the story could be elaborated more because I was left hanging at the end of the comic. I felt like I didn't get much out of the story. There was no climax as well as resolution. From my point of view, the story fell flat.
February 7, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
4.5⭐
This was a fast-paced read with a deeply embedded, profound meaning. Describing the 49-day journey of the soul between life and rebirth, it sketches key details about the Buddhist beliefs in an emotional and thoughtful way. The story made me tear up several times, either through the main character's trip towards accepting the fate or through the mourning of family and friends.
I also enjoyed the key elements related to the Korean culture and the lighthearted vibe of the characters, even towards such a tough topic. The colours that alternate between perspectives and the simple, but beautiful graphics fit the story. All in all, a great exploration of these traditions, the fragility of life and the stages of grief.
4.5⭐
This was a fast-paced read with a deeply embedded, profound meaning. Describing the 49-day journey of the soul between life and rebirth, it sketches key details about the Buddhist beliefs in an emotional and thoughtful way. The story made me tear up several times, either through the main character's trip towards accepting the fate or through the mourning of family and friends.
I also enjoyed the key elements related to the Korean culture and the lighthearted vibe of the characters, even towards such a tough topic. The colours that alternate between perspectives and the simple, but beautiful graphics fit the story. All in all, a great exploration of these traditions, the fragility of life and the stages of grief.
April 23, 2024
This was such a moving story about a young woman, Kit, who has passed away and she's on a 49 day journey to cross over to the other side. This graphic novel shows the stages of grief on both sides. From Kit's side you see her memories of the past and how she knows that that's the end. And then from her family and friend's side, the aftermath of her passing. This was sad and even funny at times; this story shows how you move on because you must, but you never forget. The illustrations are these amazing line drawings. And it's mostly black and white, but the use of shadows and a pop of yellow give everything more feeling.
November 14, 2023
There were a few times during this graphic novel that I teared up but the last few pages had me bawling.
This story follows Kit who is in her 49 day period after death. She’s waiting to move on. We follow along as she goes through denial, anger, fear, and finally acceptance. It was so visceral at times it took my breath away.
On the other side we’re following the people Kit left behind. We see them grieve and try to find happiness and comfort in the fond memories as they keep her spirit alive.
The artwork for this book was stunning and has me completely immersed from the very first page. I absolutely loved this.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
This story follows Kit who is in her 49 day period after death. She’s waiting to move on. We follow along as she goes through denial, anger, fear, and finally acceptance. It was so visceral at times it took my breath away.
On the other side we’re following the people Kit left behind. We see them grieve and try to find happiness and comfort in the fond memories as they keep her spirit alive.
The artwork for this book was stunning and has me completely immersed from the very first page. I absolutely loved this.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
April 15, 2024
A lot of books I’ve come across that try to tackle on grief are articulately put together… and this graphic novel is not. And that’s why I loved it… and that’s why I was borderline tears. It outlines the grief between Kit herself AND her family and friends so well- and as it usually is in reality- a mess and never linear. It did take me a minute to figure out what was going on, but once you get it, you fall hard for it, such an easy read too. I loved this <3
November 15, 2023
Thank you netgalley for the ARC and I think I will be looking into the works of Agnes more. This graphic novel is the story about Kit who's in bardo (a place between life and death) waiting for 49 days and it's her journey of accepting what happened to her and concurrently following the lives of the people who was left to moron her loss as well.
Broke my heart but the simple art style made the whole story better.
Broke my heart but the simple art style made the whole story better.
Read
January 27, 2024A beautiful and delicate balance of emotions throughout. Perfectly done. Read an ARC so didn’t get to see the full color version, but the simple ink strokes fit perfectly with the simplicity of the narrative around grief.
November 12, 2023
This was both heartwarming and heart-wrenching at the same time. A really touching and beautiful story about loss and what might happen to us after we die. The art style of the comic took a little bit for me to get used to but I did get used to it quite quickly and appreciated it too. It adds to the intimate character of the book.
All in all it was a very pleasant read that left me touched by its pages. I would love to see more of the author’s work!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy.
All in all it was a very pleasant read that left me touched by its pages. I would love to see more of the author’s work!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy.
November 14, 2023
I am new to this type of book. I'm enjoying learning different ways to enjoy stories.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC
March 16, 2024
Very sweet and sad graphic novel about death, grief, and transition for the person who dies and those left behind. Wonderful pictures and story.
April 14, 2024
TLDWrite (yet): phenomenal.
————
Update:
It is hard to wrap my head around what I want to say or how to say it. This work is phenomenal and brings forth a form of visual simplicity I seldom see done with such excellence. Every character interaction feels based off the retelling of real moments and people. Each brush stroke feels deliberately placed and laid with the utmost care.
The decision to use calligraphy, is itself extraordinary. The inking style ignites a beautiful blend of cultural specificity and narrative simplicity that I can’t imagine this story without. Similar to how color is used to relay tone or timeline of a scene; the inking texture, density and movement communicates necessary context that words would fail to do. It’s as if the ink itself is imbued with the desired meaning and intent of the author, speaking to the reader along the way.
It is this type of reading experience that makes me love visual communication, visual arts and specifically the graphic novel as a medium of storytelling.
While not everyone’s cup of tea; this story’s narrative, visuals and theme come together perfectly for me.
————
Update:
It is hard to wrap my head around what I want to say or how to say it. This work is phenomenal and brings forth a form of visual simplicity I seldom see done with such excellence. Every character interaction feels based off the retelling of real moments and people. Each brush stroke feels deliberately placed and laid with the utmost care.
The decision to use calligraphy, is itself extraordinary. The inking style ignites a beautiful blend of cultural specificity and narrative simplicity that I can’t imagine this story without. Similar to how color is used to relay tone or timeline of a scene; the inking texture, density and movement communicates necessary context that words would fail to do. It’s as if the ink itself is imbued with the desired meaning and intent of the author, speaking to the reader along the way.
It is this type of reading experience that makes me love visual communication, visual arts and specifically the graphic novel as a medium of storytelling.
While not everyone’s cup of tea; this story’s narrative, visuals and theme come together perfectly for me.
March 19, 2024
When you’re experiencing a death of a friend and your boss gives you a graphic novel about grief
November 22, 2023
This graphics novel was absolutely beautiful!
And the fact that this is Agnes’ debut just as me speechless.
As someone who isnt a buddhist I found this very compelling. I have a huge interest in different religious practices, but this was really my first time learning about Buddhism.
This story follows Kit on her 49 days of travel after her death before being able to crossing over. As we read we get to experience all the emotions that come with dying and crossing over. And on the other side we have to watch her family navigate through a life that is so very different then what it used to be.
I know I’ll be think about this beautiful story for the next few days, because sometimes moving forward is the hardest challenge of all.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful graphics novel.
And the fact that this is Agnes’ debut just as me speechless.
As someone who isnt a buddhist I found this very compelling. I have a huge interest in different religious practices, but this was really my first time learning about Buddhism.
This story follows Kit on her 49 days of travel after her death before being able to crossing over. As we read we get to experience all the emotions that come with dying and crossing over. And on the other side we have to watch her family navigate through a life that is so very different then what it used to be.
I know I’ll be think about this beautiful story for the next few days, because sometimes moving forward is the hardest challenge of all.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful graphics novel.
April 20, 2024
This was one of the most beautiful graphic explorations of grief I’ve encountered. It’s ability to pack the emotional punch it does with minimalist visuals and limited dialogue makes this a masterpiece.
February 16, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and to Levine Querido, publisher, for providing an early copy of this graphic novel for review.
Why 49 days? That is the length of the spiritual journey after death, and before the afterlife, in Buddhist tradition. This spiritual journey before crossing over to the other side provides the framework for a story about a Korean-American girl on a quest, looking for the answers to the big questions about life and death.
The story begins in a surreal, fragmented fashion. We seem no more informed than the MC, who seems stuck in one place, though also nudged to get going. In her wanderings, simple memories seem more joyful than when she first experienced them. The nostalgia of memory is created indirectly, when we remember the first time we remembered.
The girl, Kit, has a map, but it holds no more clues than the journey has revealed so far.
As an aside, when Kit takes partial shelter under a low tree, it reminds me of the Biblical parable of Jonah, who (after reaching the other side) takes shelter under a flower in Ninevah, though it does nothing to assuage his misery. Like manna in the desert, the tree grows and provides for Kit. She is on the right path, and she's moving, but still there is pain to work through. She looks for shortcuts, but they seem counterproductive when she tries them.
Meanwhile, Kit's friends and family are having a hard time after losing Kit. Both sides, separated on either side of the veil, are facing obstacles which seem too big for them to handle. Grief and loss are big and unpredictable in their effects upon individuals. We tend to think of bargaining, anger, and depression as phases of grief for the ones left behind, but what if the person who has left our lives goes through the same emotional process?
Both the living and the recently departed have to find ways to move forward, even if they have to have a literal breakthrough to get there. You can tell when Kit has turned a corner, because she taps into her creativity to connect with her memories. And in parallel, the grieving begin to do better by drawing strength from each other, all the people who were connected to Kit. It's like one circle was broken, and a new one has formed. This doesn't mean there's no sadness. Far from it. But, there is also joy. When the tears come, they are more cleansing and healing rather than hot and angry. And at the end of the journey, we rest. We are ready. We have worked out every obstacle to peace, so we can rest in it (or prepare for rebirth).
The art is very simple, but effective enough, especially for a story which focuses on a process rather than on a plot. I found it difficult to follow sometimes, but better as it went along. The use of Korean words for mama and older sister were confusing to me at first, but once I looked them up, I did a little bit better with that, too.
Why 49 days? That is the length of the spiritual journey after death, and before the afterlife, in Buddhist tradition. This spiritual journey before crossing over to the other side provides the framework for a story about a Korean-American girl on a quest, looking for the answers to the big questions about life and death.
The story begins in a surreal, fragmented fashion. We seem no more informed than the MC, who seems stuck in one place, though also nudged to get going. In her wanderings, simple memories seem more joyful than when she first experienced them. The nostalgia of memory is created indirectly, when we remember the first time we remembered.
The girl, Kit, has a map, but it holds no more clues than the journey has revealed so far.
As an aside, when Kit takes partial shelter under a low tree, it reminds me of the Biblical parable of Jonah, who (after reaching the other side) takes shelter under a flower in Ninevah, though it does nothing to assuage his misery. Like manna in the desert, the tree grows and provides for Kit. She is on the right path, and she's moving, but still there is pain to work through. She looks for shortcuts, but they seem counterproductive when she tries them.
Meanwhile, Kit's friends and family are having a hard time after losing Kit. Both sides, separated on either side of the veil, are facing obstacles which seem too big for them to handle. Grief and loss are big and unpredictable in their effects upon individuals. We tend to think of bargaining, anger, and depression as phases of grief for the ones left behind, but what if the person who has left our lives goes through the same emotional process?
Both the living and the recently departed have to find ways to move forward, even if they have to have a literal breakthrough to get there. You can tell when Kit has turned a corner, because she taps into her creativity to connect with her memories. And in parallel, the grieving begin to do better by drawing strength from each other, all the people who were connected to Kit. It's like one circle was broken, and a new one has formed. This doesn't mean there's no sadness. Far from it. But, there is also joy. When the tears come, they are more cleansing and healing rather than hot and angry. And at the end of the journey, we rest. We are ready. We have worked out every obstacle to peace, so we can rest in it (or prepare for rebirth).
The art is very simple, but effective enough, especially for a story which focuses on a process rather than on a plot. I found it difficult to follow sometimes, but better as it went along. The use of Korean words for mama and older sister were confusing to me at first, but once I looked them up, I did a little bit better with that, too.
February 25, 2024
Agnes Lee's "49 Days" is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of grief, redemption, and the enduring power of love. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Seoul, this novel takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through the afterlife as experienced by the protagonist, Ji Soo.
The premise of the novel centers around the Buddhist belief in the journey of the soul after death, specifically the 49-day period in which the deceased undergoes various trials and tribulations before reaching their final destination. Lee masterfully weaves together elements of mysticism and folklore, creating a rich tapestry of supernatural encounters and spiritual revelations.
At its core, "49 Days" is a deeply emotional story that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the profound impact of loss. Through Ji Soo's journey, we witness the depths of her grief as she grapples with the sudden death of her beloved husband. Lee's portrayal of Ji Soo's anguish is raw and visceral, evoking empathy and resonance from the reader.
As Ji Soo navigates the realm of the afterlife, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unfinished business and unresolved conflicts. These interactions serve as a catalyst for Ji Soo's own healing journey, as she confronts her past and comes to terms with her grief.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its evocative prose and vivid imagery. Lee paints a vivid portrait of Seoul, capturing the city's bustling streets and tranquil landscapes with equal finesse. Her descriptive language immerses the reader in Ji Soo's world, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy that is both captivating and immersive.
Ultimately, "49 Days" is a poignant meditation on the nature of loss, love, and the human spirit. Agnes Lee's lyrical writing and deeply empathetic storytelling make this novel a powerful and unforgettable read. Whether you're drawn to tales of the supernatural or stories of personal growth and transformation, "49 Days" is sure to leave a lasting impression on your heart and soul.
The premise of the novel centers around the Buddhist belief in the journey of the soul after death, specifically the 49-day period in which the deceased undergoes various trials and tribulations before reaching their final destination. Lee masterfully weaves together elements of mysticism and folklore, creating a rich tapestry of supernatural encounters and spiritual revelations.
At its core, "49 Days" is a deeply emotional story that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the profound impact of loss. Through Ji Soo's journey, we witness the depths of her grief as she grapples with the sudden death of her beloved husband. Lee's portrayal of Ji Soo's anguish is raw and visceral, evoking empathy and resonance from the reader.
As Ji Soo navigates the realm of the afterlife, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unfinished business and unresolved conflicts. These interactions serve as a catalyst for Ji Soo's own healing journey, as she confronts her past and comes to terms with her grief.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its evocative prose and vivid imagery. Lee paints a vivid portrait of Seoul, capturing the city's bustling streets and tranquil landscapes with equal finesse. Her descriptive language immerses the reader in Ji Soo's world, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy that is both captivating and immersive.
Ultimately, "49 Days" is a poignant meditation on the nature of loss, love, and the human spirit. Agnes Lee's lyrical writing and deeply empathetic storytelling make this novel a powerful and unforgettable read. Whether you're drawn to tales of the supernatural or stories of personal growth and transformation, "49 Days" is sure to leave a lasting impression on your heart and soul.
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